12.10.1915 Fouquereuil: Capt EB Johnson to hospital sick. Capt CJ Wheatcroft to Command “D” Company.

Captain Evelyn Brownlow Johnson

Captain Cyril John Wheatcroft

Battn (less details) moved out in fighting order and occupied support trenches EAST of VERMELLES branching of GORDON ALLEY and HULLUCH ALLEY.

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

Oct 12th. Paraded for deficiencies 10-30 a.m. Took packs to store 1 p.m. Set off to trenches (fighting order) 3-30 p.m. Stopped & had tea about 6 p.m. near Sailly. Got to support trenches near Vermelles about 10-30 p.m. & relieved Guards. Seemed a long way. Nice day.

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]

We started our trek from the rear areas on the eleventh of October, and by the night of the twelfth – thirteenth, we were in our jumping off positions. All seemed to be fairly quiet, the battle that started on September the 25th seemed to have died off.

[2305 Pte Frank Longson]